Mrs. Brown (United Kingdom, 1997)

A movie review by James Berardinelli

Mrs. Brown is a love story much in the same vein as Carrington in that it deals with platonic affection that
runs deeper and truer than that of the motion picture staple romantic variety. These days, it seems
that whenever we see a male/female friendship on screen, it's just a setup for the inevitable moment
when the two realize that they're fated to be lovers. Not so with Mrs. Brown, one of the
most emotionally sensitive and intelligent love stories of the year. It shows, amongst other things,
that it's possible to love completely and with unflagging devotion without sex ever becoming an
issue.

Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819 and died nearly eighty-two years later, in the first
month of 1901. Her reign as England's monarch, which began in 1837, lasted more than six
decades and left such an indelible impression upon the country that, upon hearing of her death,
author Henry James wrote, "We all feel a bit motherless today." Mrs. Brown, which is
based on actual events and uses historical figures, transpires during one of the darkest periods of
Victoria's reign -- a four year segment from 1864 to 1868 (with a brief epilogue in 1883). Still
mourning the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert, who died over two years earlier, the
Queen (Judi Dench) is in virtual seclusion at Windsor. She sees no one outside of her servants and
her immediate family, rarely goes out, and has no taste for politics. In the words of her loyal
secretary, Henry Posonby (Geoffrey Palmer), they are all "prisoners of the queen's grief," which he
describes variously as "ferocious introspection" and "unfettered morbidity." So, in an attempt to
revive Victoria, Posonby summons John Brown (Billy Connolly), the highlander who runs the
queen's Scottish retreat of Balmoral, to Windsor. It's Posonby's hope that Brown will "appeal to
the queen's sentimental belief that all highlanders are good for the health."

Brown arrives and proves to be a breath of fresh air. Before he enters Windsor, the castle is a
place of icy silence and solitude. Director John Madden so effectively conveys this atmosphere
that we become keenly aware of such things as a ticking clock and a cleared throat. Brown's
attitude of speaking what he thinks, regardless of the consequences, horrifies the servants and
family. But, after initially being annoyed, Victoria warms to his methods, and it isn't long before
the two develop a unshakable friendship. They become so close, in fact, that wags begin calling
the Queen "Mrs. Brown." The Prince of Wales, wary of Brown's growing influence over his
mother, seeks to have the highlander sent back to Scotland. And the Prime Minister, Disraeli,
wonders whether Brown is more likely to be a valuable ally or a dangerous enemy.

Like 1995's The Madness of King George,
Mrs. Brown mixes the political machinations of various MPs with the growing fissure
between the monarch and the Prince of Wales. However, while George may have been mad,
Victoria is merely eccentric. Nevertheless, her extended period of mourning, during which she has
been out of the public's sight, has created a great deal of uncertainty among her subjects, and
Parliament is beginning to discuss the possibility of disestablishing the monarchy -- a prospect that
horrifies Disraeli and Prince Edward.

Brown and Victoria's relationship develops and deepens slowly and naturally, and credit must be
given to both of the lead actors, Judi Dench ("M" from Goldeneye and Tomorrow Never Dies) and
Billy Connolly (Howard Hessman's replacement in the TV series Head of the Class), for
their extraordinary performances. Both actors immerse themselves in their roles, playing Brown
and the Queen without a hint of artifice, and the chemistry between them is palpable. Theirs is a
wonderfully real relationship that is reminiscent of the one between Lytton Strachey and the title
character of Carrington. (Ironically, Strachey is most famous for his 1921 biography of
Queen Victoria.)

Perhaps the best thing of all about Mrs. Brown is that it doesn't offer any hokey,
Hollywood-type moments. The picture remains true to itself throughout, affirming that film maker
John Madden (Ethan Frome) has a keen insight
into the human psyche. Mrs. Brown is a fascinating character study, a wonderful love
story, and a brilliant period piece (Masterpiece Theater and the BBC, both renowned for
their costume dramas, are listed as co-producers). In a summer that is sure to be glutted with
formulaic action thrillers and flat romantic comedies, Mrs. Brown will delight and touch
any viewer who seeks it out.